The old sodium vapor light on the corner of my barn finally quit working the other night. I bought a replacement at TSC. They didn't have any choices, just 1 lightweight aluminum one, that is a 65 watt outdoor florescent, supposed to be as bright as sodium vapor. I needed light, so I bought it...figured I can swap it out later, but need light now.

Let me tell you, it is brighter than the old one ever wanted to be! It is like doggoned daylight out there...for about 4 acres! And all for only 65 watts. I'm pretty sure the old sodium was rated at around 300 or so.

I don't buy much modern stuff, but this time, it is truly an improvement over the old and I am impressed.

The old one may have been low pressure sodium, a very yellow light that used to be common on highways. If so it is probably more a quality issue than quantity. Low pressure was very efficient for lumens but the narrow color band made everything appear dull. Fluorescents are fairly efficient and have good quality light but do not last as long due to the killer ballasts usually associated with outdoor cold weather use.

I am curious about attracting bugs. Wr are building a new shed on our farmette, and I have not even thought about the lighting. At our trailer, we bought the yellow bug light bulbs--supposed to not attract bugs--but it did. So the yellow light thing must be a gimmick. Educate me, if there is a way to attract fewer bugs.For the house, I learned to shut off all lights at sunset and use tiny electric lamps only. Has helped soooo much!

I wonder if the fluorescent will maintain its brightness during the winter?

When we first bought our place in the country (after living in the burbs of St Louis), the electric co-op asked me if I wanted a dusk-to-dawn light installed on our power pole. I laughed and declined their offer to light up our dark country.

Me, that has done drywall for beer, ... be careful of your lights, they'll burn you like the sun, only quicker. I'm not looking forward to my next rendevoious (?) with mother nature. Seems as it hurts the most when you get back inside. Time to pick up the shovel and clean out the barn.